We inspected this service on 29 and 30 November 2016. The inspection was announced. The provider was given two working days’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be available at the locations office to see us.

Dickley Court is registered as both an accommodation based care home and a community based domiciliary care agency (DCA) which delivers personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection the provider was supporting approximately 35 people living in supported living services. The domiciliary care agency is run from an office which is attached to the main building of the care home. The provider Symbol Family Support Services Limited provides support primarily for people who have a learning disability living within a supported living service. At the time of our inspection Dickley Court was being used as a short breaks respite service, offering themed weekend breaks for people who have a learning disability.

We have reported on the services provided by the short breaks respite service and the DCA separately under the evidence sections of the report, unless the evidence related to both services when we combined the reporting.

The registered manager was also the managing director of the organisation Symbol UK Ltd. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The feedback we received from people and their relative’s was excellent. Those people that used the service and their relative’s expressed great satisfaction of the service being provided and spoke very highly of the registered manager, senior management team and the staff. Everyone within the organisation was highly motivated and committed to ensuring people that used the service were treated as individuals and had as much choice and control over their lives. Staff were supported to develop and progress within their role by the registered manager and the senior management team.

Recruitment practices were safe and checks were carried out to make sure staff were suitable to work with people who needed care and support. However, gaps in potential staffs employment had not always been explored. We have made a recommendation about this.

The safety of people using the service was taken seriously by the registered manager, management team and staff who understood their responsibility to protect people’s health and well-being. Staff, the management team and the registered manager had received training about protecting people from abuse, and they knew what action to take if they suspected abuse. Risks to people’s safety had been assessed and measures put in place to manage any hazards identified. The short breaks respite premises were maintained and checked to help ensure the safety of people, staff and visitors. A fire risk assessment was in place and an evacuation plan to be used in the event of an emergency.

Staff had a full understanding of people’s care and support needs and had the skills and knowledge to meet them. People received consistent support from the same staff who knew them well. People were supported to be fully involved in the recruitment of their own staff team. Job advertisements were personalised and people were supported to be involved in the interview and selection process. The provider used innovative ways to enable people to gain work within the local community and fulfil their hopes and dreams. A shop was opened within the local community which enabled people to gain work experience and a qualification.

People received their medicines safely and when they needed them. Policies and procedures were in place for the safe administration of medicines and staff